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Last week, I was going to post about my softball season, noting that our team was winless but improving. I can no longer do so.
Not because we're no longer winless. Because we're no longer improving. We're now 0-8.
(For those interested, see old "Dave at the Bat" photo post...)
Yikes! Three of our first four losses ended via mercy rule. But by games 5&6 we'd gotten to the point where we had chances to win both games in the final-half inning. In game five we fell short when a defensive lapse by our first baseman (more below) allowed the winning run to score. In game six, we stranded the tying and winning runs on base.
Encouraging.
Monday, our opponent batted around three times in the first inning. I think that may be some sort of record. (Playing short-handed was part of this - not just our ineptitude in the field.)
Well, at least I'm having fun, and I'm hitting much better. I started really hitting the ball hard (grounders still and some liners to short outfield) and have recently begun getting some air. Homered in each of the last two games, something I haven't done in years.
On the injury front, no leg problems to speak of. Primarily because I've been permanently shifted to first base, where sprained ankles are a thing of the past.
I used to make fun of 1B, because it's a graveyard for any right-handed thrower who simply can't move or field anymore. And while it's not a physically demanding position, it turns out that 1B has some actual intricacies to it. I still have to practice my footwork around the bag, particularly when I try to play off the base in order to have some actual range or coverage. I also still have some trouble knowing which times to stay put or back up either second or home. This was one of the great things about playing third base - react, catch, throw, but never have to worry about anything other than your spot.
Positioning is a challenge. I try to play off the bag, so I can cover ground as a fielder - but my instinct is to go for the ball, which has caused two problems. One, I'm often a little late to the bag, so my foot isn't in the right position - and I don't get good stretches at the occasional off-line throw. Additionally, I've made the mistake of fielding balls to my right, which leaves no-one covering the bag. That's how we lost game #5. I went right and cut off the 2B to field a ball (the right play for a third baseman to make) but that left no-one to take a throw at first. Consequently the winning run scored. Oops.
Also, my right shoulder is just not right. Usually, when I make throws I get a dull pain in the front of my shoulder/top of my arm. Eventually, it gets too sore to really throw comfortably - though I can still actually throw both accurate and hard. Since I play first base, I'm mostly only stressing during warm-ups, not actual game play. (As I would if playing 3B or OF) Last week, it got to the point that it was sore when I wasn't throwing and definitely affected my swing. But, once I get home it's not an issue until I start throwing again.
This is actually the third season I've noted this, though it's worse now than in 2006. Vague studies of internet medicals indicate it's a Labrum issue, not rotator cuff. Which, is a pitching injury I've heard of, so I'll take notice. I've got four games left, so hopefully nothing worse. Just have to make a note of it for the next time I go to the doctor.
Darn my lousy mechanics.
Not because we're no longer winless. Because we're no longer improving. We're now 0-8.
(For those interested, see old "Dave at the Bat" photo post...)
Yikes! Three of our first four losses ended via mercy rule. But by games 5&6 we'd gotten to the point where we had chances to win both games in the final-half inning. In game five we fell short when a defensive lapse by our first baseman (more below) allowed the winning run to score. In game six, we stranded the tying and winning runs on base.
Encouraging.
Monday, our opponent batted around three times in the first inning. I think that may be some sort of record. (Playing short-handed was part of this - not just our ineptitude in the field.)
Well, at least I'm having fun, and I'm hitting much better. I started really hitting the ball hard (grounders still and some liners to short outfield) and have recently begun getting some air. Homered in each of the last two games, something I haven't done in years.
On the injury front, no leg problems to speak of. Primarily because I've been permanently shifted to first base, where sprained ankles are a thing of the past.
I used to make fun of 1B, because it's a graveyard for any right-handed thrower who simply can't move or field anymore. And while it's not a physically demanding position, it turns out that 1B has some actual intricacies to it. I still have to practice my footwork around the bag, particularly when I try to play off the base in order to have some actual range or coverage. I also still have some trouble knowing which times to stay put or back up either second or home. This was one of the great things about playing third base - react, catch, throw, but never have to worry about anything other than your spot.
Positioning is a challenge. I try to play off the bag, so I can cover ground as a fielder - but my instinct is to go for the ball, which has caused two problems. One, I'm often a little late to the bag, so my foot isn't in the right position - and I don't get good stretches at the occasional off-line throw. Additionally, I've made the mistake of fielding balls to my right, which leaves no-one covering the bag. That's how we lost game #5. I went right and cut off the 2B to field a ball (the right play for a third baseman to make) but that left no-one to take a throw at first. Consequently the winning run scored. Oops.
Also, my right shoulder is just not right. Usually, when I make throws I get a dull pain in the front of my shoulder/top of my arm. Eventually, it gets too sore to really throw comfortably - though I can still actually throw both accurate and hard. Since I play first base, I'm mostly only stressing during warm-ups, not actual game play. (As I would if playing 3B or OF) Last week, it got to the point that it was sore when I wasn't throwing and definitely affected my swing. But, once I get home it's not an issue until I start throwing again.
This is actually the third season I've noted this, though it's worse now than in 2006. Vague studies of internet medicals indicate it's a Labrum issue, not rotator cuff. Which, is a pitching injury I've heard of, so I'll take notice. I've got four games left, so hopefully nothing worse. Just have to make a note of it for the next time I go to the doctor.
Darn my lousy mechanics.
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Best of luck in the next set of games.
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